Rectal device



June 23, 1959 J. J. HOFER ETAL RECTAL DEVICE Filed June 6, 1957 S :1 R M Jm am mar WR p United States Patent RECTAL DEVICE Jakie J. Hofer and Raymond M. Hofer, Freeman, S. Dak.

Application June 6, 1957, Serial No. 663,97 6

1 Claim. (Cl. 128-132) Our invention relates to a device for alleviating the discomfort of hemorrhoids and piles, and principally to assist in the healing of the same.

An object of our invention is to provide a device which will spread the checks of the buttocks apart around the rectal surfaces to prevent contact with the rectal surfaces or the piles or hemorrhoids, and principally to allow the entrance of air to the same which will assist in the healing thereof, and to also provide means whereby the gases in the intestines which would otherwise accumulate will be readily released.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device which can be worn by the user without discomfort.

With these and other objects in view, our invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of our device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing our device as positioned adjacently to the rectal areas,

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modification,

Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a preferred modification,

Figure 6 is an end view of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a further modification,

Figure 8 is an end view of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a still further modification, and

Figure 10 is a forward view of Figure 9.

Our invention contemplates the provision of a simple device which can be inserted adjacently to the rectal portions to alleviate the condition of hemorrhoids or piles by allowing air to circulate around the pile or hemorrhoid areas and to prevent the accumulation of gases.

We have used the character 10 to designate generally the buttock portions, the character 11 indicating the rectum, and the character 12 piles in the rectum.

Our invention comprises in one form a generally elongated member 13 having the side walls 14 and having a central opening 15 being generally oval in shape, the member 13 being made of a fairly soft yet firm rubber, which is sufficiently resilient to prevent chafing or injury to the wearer.

It will be noted that the opening 15 will thereby, when the device is inserted as shown in Figure 1, allow the entrance of air into the rectal portions around the piles or hemorrhoids, and will also provide means for the escape of gas from the intestines, thereby considerably relieving the condition of the hemorrhoids or piles, since the accumulation of gases will usually aggravate the condition of the same, the entrance of fresh air providing a highly beneficial effect as we have determined by the use of the present device.

Figure 5 illustrates a modification wherein the char- "ice acter 16 indicates a similar generally elongated rubber member having the side Walls 17 and openings 18 being shaped substantially as shown. Joining the side walls 1', in this form, however, is a medially positioned rib 19, and we have found that this type of structure is a preferred type, since if the rubber is too soft or resilient in the modification shown in Figure 3, when the device is inserted between the cheeks, the tendency is for the pressure to close the opening 15, or at least partially close this opening, however, the rib 19 will prevent the closure of the openings 18.

Figure 7 illustrates a still further modification wherein the device is indicated by the character 20 and includes the triangular openings 21 which extend therethrough, which triangular openings could be of other shapes, such as squares or the like, and in this modification a tape 22 can be used to keep the device in place, the tape being applied to the checks as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 9 discloses a still further modification wherein the character 23 indicates the insert member having the pair of circular openings or passages 24, this member also including the slot 25 whereby the tape can be inserted in the slot portion and then twisted to its flat form and applied, thereby securely holding the device in place.

The device is inserted in the following manner, and as shown in Figure 1. Assuming that the device is the form shown in Figure 9 for instance, the checks of the buttocks are spread apart, and the relatively soft resilient member is inserted practically horizontally as shown in Figure 1. Normally, the member will be held in position without the use of any attached tapes or the like due to the pressure exerted thereagainst, it being noted that the passages 24 will permit the entrance of air, and will prevent the accumulation of gases by providing a passageway for the reverse direction. However, if desired the tape can be applied as shown, and we have found that the device can be worn with complete comfort at all times, and the patient can walk around with the device.

It will also be noted from Figure 1 that a clear passageway will be provided to and about the hemorrhoids or piles, thereby providing the effects as desired. It will be understood that the tape 22 could be used on all of the constructions shown.

It will now be seen that we have provided the advantages mentioned in the objects of our invention, with further advantages being apparent.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of our invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claim any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim as our invention:

A rectal device for piles comprising a generally elongated resilient body, said resilient body being generally oval-shaped in cross section, and including a plurality of longitudinal passageways passing through said body, the intermediate solid portions between said passageways providing means for preventing collapsion of said passageways, a tape attached at the end of said body for securing the same to the buttocks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,596,754 Moschelle Aug. 17, 1926 1,928,992 Clark et a1. Oct. 3, 1933 2,290,571 Peyton July 21, 1942 2,624,073 Pugh Ian. 6, 1953 2,687,997 Marchand Aug. 31, 1954 2,781,044 Bennett Feb. 12, 1957 

